Perceived Risk and Associated Factors towards COVID-19 infection among the residents of Ondo State, Southwest Nigeria

Authors

  • Elvis Efe Isere University of Ibadan
  • Ikeoluwapo Ajayi University of Ibadan
  • Adewale Moses Adejugbagbe University of Ibadan
  • Samuel Femi Abiona Ondo State Primary Health Care Development Agency
  • Nosa Eniye Omorogbe Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria, Abuja, Nigeria
  • Omotola Tolulope Akinrinade University of Ibadan
  • Faizah Tosin Okunade University of Ibadan
  • Tolulope Folarin University of Ibadan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31646/gbio.149

Keywords:

Perceived Risk, COVID-19 infection, Community, Ondo State, Nigeria

Abstract

Background

Perceived risk is an important factor in understanding why and how a population adopts health-prevention interventions. When diseases are perceived as low-risk, motivation to use and adhere to prevention interventions is low, which can aid the spread of highly infectious diseases such as COVID-19. In this study, we assessed risk perception and its associated factors towards COVID-19 infection among the residents of Ondo State, southwest Nigeria.

 

Methods

A community-based, cross-sectional study design using a multi-stage sampling technique was used to recruit 593 heads of households in three local government areas (LGA) in Ondo State. Data were collected using an interviewer-administered questionnaire which captured information on sociodemographic variables, knowledge of COVID-19 prevention, COVID-19 infection prevention and control practices, and risk perception from September 1 to 30, 2021.

 

Results

The respondents were mostly males 357 (60.2%). The mean age of respondents was 37.5±14.7 years with 409 (69%) between the age group of 20 to 40 years. Slightly more than one quarter of respondents were civil servants and 78.4% were of Yoruba ethnicity. More than three quarters, 522 (88%), of the respondents had good knowledge of COVID-19 and its preventive measures. The mean risk perception score was 49.0±12.1. Respondents who were civil servants, had good knowledge of COVID-19 and its preventive measures, had lower household income, and were of Yoruba ethnicity had significantly higher risk perception towards COVID-19 infection compared to other groups. Higher risk perception was associated with preventive measures, such as handwashing.

 

Conclusion

Our study shows a high-risk perception towards COVID-19 infection among residents in Ondo state, Nigeria. However, there were significant differences between varying knowledge levels, ethnic groups and civil versus non-civil servants. In view of this, we recommend intensified risk communication interventions targeting these groups to improve their risk perception to change health-protective behaviour towards COVID-19 infection.

Author Biographies

Elvis Efe Isere, University of Ibadan

0000-0002-1047-2218

Ikeoluwapo Ajayi, University of Ibadan

0000-0001-7719-8746

Adewale Moses Adejugbagbe, University of Ibadan

0000-0002-0820-1566

Nosa Eniye Omorogbe, Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria, Abuja, Nigeria

0000-0001-8913-3659

Omotola Tolulope Akinrinade, University of Ibadan

0000-0002-9921-8725

Tolulope Folarin, University of Ibadan

0000-0003-4100-0253

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Published

2022-06-30

How to Cite

Isere, E. E., Ajayi, I., Adejugbagbe, A. M., Abiona, S. F., Omorogbe, N. E., Akinrinade, O. T., … Folarin, T. (2022). Perceived Risk and Associated Factors towards COVID-19 infection among the residents of Ondo State, Southwest Nigeria. Global Biosecurity, 4(1). https://doi.org/10.31646/gbio.149

Issue

Vol. 4 (2022)

Section

Research Articles

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Copyright (c) 2022 The Author(s)

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Received 2022-01-10
Accepted 2022-06-08
Published 2022-06-30